Thursday, April 19, 2007

Pittsburgh District Conference 2007

Our District Conference will be held this Sunday at Anne Ashley church in Munhall.

Traditionally, these are among the most boring of connectional meetings, and not much happens of any import. This year, things are a bit more important, as we will (presumably) be nominating folks for election to General Conference.

My name is on the list of potential nominees, but my selection as a candidate from Pittsburgh District is awfully slim; it's my first year on the district and I am (I think) relatively unknown. I have also been nominated for election to our District Committee on Ministry, and I'm excited about that, having really enjoyed my experience on the Connellsville District Committee.

Concerning nominations to represent Western PA at General Conference, it is important for our Conference to send the right persons to Texas in 2008, the right persons being those whom the Spirit chooses. Also important is the slate we send to Jurisdictional Conference, and we need to be serious about that as well. My prayer is that the Spirit will guide our district this Sunday to nominate the best candidates we can from among both clergy and laity, and that through our faithfulness, the Church is blessed.

Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we pray, with his grace and presence, our superintendent the Rev. Dr. Donald Scandrol, and other clergy and the laity of the Pittsburgh District soon to be assembled in your Name, that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
- Book of Common Prayer (adapt.)

5 comments:

Randy Roda said...

You've got my vote...have a great time...It doesn't get any better than the excitement of district conference. I'm sorry to say I missed mine.

Greg Cox said...

Our Annual Conference has got to be sure to also send some young emerging leadership to GC next year. We can no longer sit by and vote for people who have been accomplishing the same things year after year. Time to retire some retirees

Brett Probert said...

Keith,

I cannot adequately express how frustrated I am that neither you or John Shaver got nominated yesterday. It is, by and large, name recognition and an old boys club. Sorry bro...get that petition signed and keep going on to perfection dude.

Keith H. McIlwain said...

I'm not bummed or anything. My only concern is that we as a Conference send godly, faithful people, who will not be drievn by political agendas but rather by mission. Not everyone we nominated fits the bill, in my view, so we need to be in prayer.

Jeff Vanderhoff said...

I can't think of another person I'd rather send to swelter in the hot Texas sun than you, Keith. I'll sign the petition for you! And I think you would represent our Conference well, but don't tell anyone I said that.